Extra 260 49" Build

After a bit of looking around, reading reviews and searching forums I decided on this for my first 3D balsa/ply model.

Extra

Here's a decent manual too....
Extra_260.pdf

Setup is as follows,
HXT 900's
NTM Prop drive 35-48 1100kv
Plush 60A

Despite Auspost's best efforts at destroying the box HK's double boxing system shines through, thanks HK this saves a lot of time and headaches..... The model had no damage at all.

On opening the box I was very surprised with quality, everything was neat and straight, as mentioned elsewhere a couple of the control surfaces were warped but a little time on the building board with weights strategically placed sorted this. The covering had a few loose ends but nothing a little CA didn't fix.

The first order of the day was to lose those terrible tab type hinges and after some tedious hobby knife work had some decent pinned hinges in place.

After cutting all the required covering off for rudder and elevator installation I decided to cut the elevator slot through to the back, to allow the elevator to be slid in from the back rather than through the side, making gluing a lot easier and elevator can be fully put together before installing into fuselage, the little piece that I cut out can be CA'd back in later...

Elevator slot cut right through

Elevator (film removed for gluing)

Rudder (film removed for gluing)

Wing


I'm going to fit the control surfaces as close as possible to the main components as a gap will cause turbulence over the control surface, but leaving enough room for a stupid amount of throw (I'm going to turn this thing inside-out) this probably wouldn't be noticeable for the average flyer like me but I'm a fussy bugger and want things to be right...... More soon

Edited by Hoverin - 08/Jul/2012 at 9:40am

Thanks Snappy, I've tried that but the icon still comes up with the standard "enter the web address of the image" grrrr

and dont fit the prop like they have

this is a great plane i have had it for the last 18 months and im loving it.

check out my build thread with loads of details on my setup
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11306

Hi Hoverin
I bought this plane bout 3 months ago and took my time building her (no rush, have several others that keep me flyin)
I’m not new to RC but I am to 3D and this is also my first balsa 3D plane, however I have built her for sport at this stage to see how she flies. Later I’ll throw in some larger servos and throws to setup for 3D.
Three things – The landing gear is weak, some reinforcement work needed here and a canopy lock of some kind needs to be fitted. Motor mount needs reinforcement as the fire wall will never handle the power or any rough landings without support. I have a few other mods also (bigger wheels for grass, hinges) however these are my preferences only.
I have a rather odd setup made of gear I had laying around. With 4 cell battery I have limited TX throttle to 47Amp @ 790 watt (at full power the draw is 65 Amp). This setup is really for 3 cell as the motor is only rated to 50Amp or I could prop down, have not made up my mind yet. Till I buy some more gear this is how she will fly. She weighs in @ 1.65 kg.
I maiden her last Sunday, was a little worried rather a windy day. I live in the south of Perth WA and the summer easterly winds here can be very gusty and unpredictable. Although I have throttled down in the TX (so I don’t burn out the motor) this combo still has plenty of power to spare... I pointed her into the wind, brought her up to about 1/3rd throttle light tap on the elevator and we climbed gently into the sky... It was the greatest feeling... Just like the real thing. A couple of quick circles and a glide check then line up for approach. She glided in very cleanly to a beautiful touchdown and a round of applause from the crowd who were not flying as they were waiting for the wind to drop.
This plane flies lovely and straight. No trim needed to my delight and handled the wind with ease. Most of my planes are foam of some kind and although they fly well none of them hold such straight lines though the loops and rolls or fly this well on a windy day. I’m sure there are many planes out there that perform much better than this one, but this one landed on my doorstep for under 100 bucks.
Good luck with your build Hoverin, will be watchin, I hope you get as much pleasure from this plane as I have.
My setup for now:
Turnigy D3548/4 1100KV Brushless Outrunner
TURNIGY Plush 60amp Speed Controller
HXT900 9g / 1.6kg / .12sec Micro Servo
Master Airscrew Beech Wood propeller 11x6
ZIPPY Flightmax 2200mAh 4S1P 40C

FrSky D8R-II 2.4Ghz 8CH Receiver with Telemetery
Turnigy 9X 9Ch Transmitter (Mode 2) (ER9X Firmware installed)
FrSky DHT 8ch DIY Telemetry Compatible Transmitter Module fitted to the 9X
Smartypants board fitted to the 9X


Try this link snappy
Many thanks to the posters in the linked Extra 260 49"
thread, some great info here...